Chapter 44: Two Similar People! Similar Fighting Methods!
Facing Arthur's request for a practice match, Kurogane Ikki's face first showed unconcealed surprise.
Then he quickly realized that the other party was a foreigner and it was normal for him not to understand the situation, so he immediately explained.
"Arthur, you probably haven't heard the surname Kurogane before, have you?"
"You can just call me Arthur. Kurogane? Is that a famous surname?"
As Arthur spoke, he tapped his fingertip, and relevant content quickly popped up on his mobile terminal screen.
The Kurogane family was a preeminent and influential presence throughout Japan.
The family produced numerous talents, possessing a considerable number of high-level Blazers, and held a crucial position in all walks of life.
Even the head of the International Alliance's Japan branch was held by Kurogane Gen, the current head of the Kurogane family.
Born into such a distinguished family, Kurogane Ikki was only an F-rank Blazer, so his situation was imaginable.
After understanding the crux of the matter, Arthur's lips curved into a playful smile, and he teased.
"I see, so that's why you've been held back a grade all this time, right?"
Kurogane Ikki nodded calmly, with no intention of defending himself.
He had long been accustomed to all sorts of gazes and ridicule; even if Arthur's attitude towards him suddenly changed the next second, it would just be a common occurrence.
"You're pretty amazing."
Upon hearing Arthur's praise, Kurogane Ikki was somewhat taken aback and quickly emphasized.
"If you get involved with me, you might be targeted by the Kurogane family and won't be able to make a living in any industry in Japan."
Arthur shook his head indifferently, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes as he looked at Kurogane Ikki.
"Then, Kurogane, do you know what the Arthur family is like?"
Kurogane Ikki was slightly stunned: "Arthur? Isn't that your family?"
"My family? Arthur is a family without emotions."
Arthur raised his finger and pointed at himself, the mockery on his lips growing thicker.
"And my situation is even more special; I am a transparent person bearing the Arthur surname, no one acknowledges my existence."
Kurogane Ikki's pupils contracted upon hearing this, not expecting his new roommate's experiences to be so similar to his own.
Just as he was still immersed in past memories, Arthur chuckled.
"But things completely changed later."
"Hmm?"
Kurogane Ikki suddenly looked up, his eyes full of inquiry, seemingly intending to find a similar turning point from Arthur.
Of course, Arthur did not disappoint him; a crimson magical power fluctuation gradually overflowed from his body, and the brutal oppressive feeling sent chills down one's spine.
"Because I am strong, stronger than those who only gossip behind my back."
"Whether it was strength or etiquette, I did my best to be the best, and after that, those guys learned to bow their heads when they saw me."
"Kurogane, I believe you can do it too, because I can feel that you are also a strong person."
After sensing Arthur's terrifying amount of magical power, Kurogane Ikki's expression was solemn, yet he was also incredibly excited to have received someone else's recognition.
He also unleashed the magical power within his body; although it was vastly different from Arthur's, the unwavering resolve and resilience contained within were identical.
"Thank you very much for your praise, I can't wait to fight you."
...
On the open ground not far from the dormitory building.
Arthur habitually stretched his wrists and called out to Kurogane Ikki, who was warming up.
"Let me say this first, my Blazer rank is A-rank, and I never use my Fantasy Form when fighting people, is that okay?"
"Of course, I'm ready to start anytime. Come, Intetsu."
As he spoke, Kurogane Ikki pressed his fists and palms together, magical power erupted from his body, and a jet-black katana appeared out of thin air.
Arthur didn't have those fancy summoning incantations like Blazers; he simply raised his hand to summon his platinum longsword and charged forward!
Flame Style: Burning Wings!
The instantaneous cross-slashes were like dragon wings spreading through the sky, but the sword itself did not display the usual blazing flames.
Since Kurogane Ikki's magical power was only F-rank, he naturally wouldn't rely on magical power to crush the opponent, but instead chose to compete in swordsmanship.
The slashes furiously bore down on him, but Kurogane Ikki's expression didn't change in the slightest.
He instantly raised his sword to block the two slashes, then used the force to retreat, secretly clicking his tongue.
'Such heavy force!'
'He hasn't even activated his magical power yet; it seems he has the advantage in physical ability too!'
Kurogane Ikki, who trained his physique day and night, his eyes flickered, not expecting that he couldn't even keep his only strong point.
Thunder Style: Light Fang!
With a flash of golden light, Arthur swiftly held his sword and broke through the air, the sharp edge aimed directly at the vital points of the chest and abdomen.
Fourth Secret Sword: Mirage Wolf!
Kurogane Ikki's speed surged, leaving an afterimage in his original spot, his true body abruptly appearing behind Arthur, bringing his sword down with a heavy chop.
At this moment, the aura emanating from Kurogane Ikki suddenly changed, bearing a striking resemblance to Arthur's wild, dragon-beast-like oppressive feeling?
Flame Style: Burning Wings!
He replicated the left and right cross-slashes perfectly, but Arthur, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, blocked them with a backhand sword, retreating while laughing.
"You actually copied my move after seeing it only once?"
Kurogane Ikki quickly stopped his pursuit, explaining with an embarrassed expression.
"I'm really sorry, but this is my fighting style."
Yes, this was Kurogane Ikki's swordsmanship: imitation.
Because no one had ever been willing to guide him in his training, he had to observe, ponder, and study on his own.
Over time, he gradually came to understand the essence of the sword.
As long as one followed the Veins (context/flow) and reached the truth, one could analyze an opponent's swordsmanship in a short time and integrate it upwards, making it compatible.
Arthur reset his stance, scrutinizing Kurogane Ikki with a half-smile.
"There's nothing to apologize for; after all, I won't apologize to you."
"Huh!?"
At these words, Kurogane Ikki immediately stared at Arthur with suspicion.
Then, an unprecedented scene appeared before his eyes.
Arthur, who was charging forward, stumbled his steps, and his figure immediately split into two, raising his sword and slashing down with almost the exact same movements as Ikki's earlier!
Third Secret Sword: Engetsu!
Unable to distinguish which was the illusion, Kurogane Ikki was forced to use his defensive swordsmanship, blocking both attacks simultaneously with a spinning, force-deflecting slash.
However, the secret sword, which should have perfectly rebounded the enemy's strength, was deformed due to its hurried execution, and unable to withstand the opponent's monstrous strength, he retreated continuously, a sweet taste in his throat.
With no time to tend to the minor injury, Kurogane Ikki tremblingly raised his hand, pointing at the relaxed and at ease Arthur.
"You... that move you just used was my Mirage Wolf!?"
Arthur nodded in praise: "So that move is called Mirage Wolf? Hmm, a very fitting name."
'An F-rank student actually vaguely grasped the extreme of martial arts; Hagun Academy, interesting!'
Arthur's thoughts stirred, and his interest in the young man before him and this academy grew by three points.